National Fossil Day, October 15, 2014

IB 2014-068
Information Bulletin

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20240
http://www.blm.gov/

July 3, 2014


In Reply Refer To:
8270 (240) P

EMS TRANSMISSION 07/03/2014

Information Bulletin No. 2014-068



To:                   All Bureau of Land Management Employees

From:               Chief, Division of Cultural, Paleontological Resources and Tribal Consultation

Subject:           National Fossil Day, October 15, 2014



The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will be celebrating the 2014 National Fossil Day (NFD) during Earth Science Week, October 12 - 18, 2014. Sponsored by the American Geological Institute, this year’s Earth Science Week theme is “Earth's Connected Systems.” See http://www.earthsciweek.org/ for more information.

The NFD was established by the National Park Service (NPS) in response to the Paleontological Resources Preservation Act (16 U.S.C. 470aaa), which requires federal land managing agencies to establish programs that increase public awareness about the significance of paleontological resources. The NFD is an annual event that supports the BLM’s Education, Interpretation, and Youth Engagement National Strategy by fostering a greater appreciation of the scientific and educational value of fossils.

National Fossil Day Resources and Activities: Field offices are encouraged to participate in NFD by:
 

  • Coordinating interpretive events that highlight paleontological resources. These events may occur any time during the year.
  • Inviting BLM-permitted researchers to speak about paleontological resources.
  • Coordinating or giving presentations at local schools, museums, or civic events about paleontological resources.
  • Conducting or coordinating field trips to nearby interpreted BLM paleontological localities.
  • Coordinating NFD activities with partner museums.
  • Registering programs on the NFD website.

    National Fossil Day Web Page:  You should begin planning your events in conjunction with NFD as soon as possible. Check the NPS-NFD web page at http://nature.nps.gov/geology/nationalfossilday/ for information about NFD, including planned activities and information and links to NFD partner web pages.  Also check the BLM Learning Landscapes web page at http://www.blm.gov/education for information on BLM related education and outreach programs.
     

Other Resources:  The BLM's Printed Materials Distribution Section (PMDS) has the following paleontological education materials available in support of your activities:

  • PS-003, black and white 17" x 22" coloring poster from the 150th Anniversary of the Department of the Interior: Dinosaurs, America's Public Land Legacy for Children of All Ages (old No. P-393).
  • P-406, Fossils on America's Public Lands: A brochure on fossil collecting on public lands.
  • P-437, A New Paleontology Law: A brochure on the Paleontological Resources Preservation Act of 2009.
  • EE 2038A, “Junior Explorer: Geology and Fossils” Activity Book.
  • EE 3002, “Discovering Dinosaurs” videotape.

As NFD approaches, keep updated about paleontology events nationwide at the NFD web page. To have your event included on the NFD web page, or if you have any questions, please contact Brent Breithaupt, Regional Paleontologist, BLM WYSO-930, at (307) 775-6052, orbbreitha@blm.gov.
 

 

 

Signed by:                                                                   Authenticated by:

Bryon Loosle                                                              Robert M. Williams

Division Chief                                                             Division of IRM Governance,WO-860

Cultural, Paleontological Resources and Trial

   Consultation

 

Fiscal Year

2014